Alcohol Detox Supplements and Your Liver
If you’re trying to cut out alcohol, you may be in for an uphill battle. An alcohol detox often involves several challenges, including overcoming symptoms of withdrawal while also trying to undo the damage of long-term alcohol consumption on the liver. The liver plays an important part in the process of detoxing your body from alcohol.
As you look to move away from consuming alcohol or recover from alcohol use disorder (AUD), supplements can be a valuable tool for helping you detox your liver. Supplements alone will not be enough to help you successfully detox, but they can be helpful in combination with healthy lifestyle habits. It’s important to understand just how supplements can benefit your liver so that you know what to look for in your detox journey.
How Can Alcohol Detox Affect the Liver?
Alcohol withdrawal and detox can have a direct impact on the liver in several ways, like leading the organ into shock or providing an opportunity to heal. The liver plays an important role in detoxifying the body, removing contaminants, and stabilizing nutrients in the blood. With consistent alcohol consumption, the liver is working constantly to break down alcohol, releasing a toxin that damages liver cells and working in a state of constant strain.
From excessive drinking, the liver can become scarred, become inflamed, or experience a buildup of fat. The liver can naturally repair itself with regenerative properties, but consistent damage from drinking alcohol makes this regeneration more difficult. Taking medications at the same time as drinking can be even more difficult on the liver. This is common when people combine regimented medications like Wegovy and alcohol.
During an alcohol detox, the liver can become shocked and suffer from withdrawal if a person stops drinking alcohol due to the sudden shift in liver function. However, alcohol detox is also a time for the liver to recover and repair itself, meaning it’s important to take steps to care for the liver and provide it with the nutrients it needs most to recover.
Symptoms of a Detoxing Liver
Because the liver is such an important organ in the body, you are likely to notice a few uncomfortable symptoms when the liver is undergoing an alcohol detox. For frequent drinkers, the liver remains in a constant state of having to process and break down from alcohol out of the blood. This sudden change can disrupt liver function and lead to potential adverse effects.
Some of the symptoms of a detoxing liver include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Restlessness
- Tremors
- Insomnia
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor can offer specific guidance on whether you should implement specific habits or supplement targeted nutrients, and they can provide recommendations on when more advanced medical intervention may be necessary. One of the first steps in repairing your liver is seeking natural supplements that may be helpful in promoting liver health.
How Do Alcohol Detox Supplements Support Your Liver?
Natural supplements can offer a healthy way to support your body in the alcohol detox process. By providing your body with natural nutrients that are foundational to supporting liver function, there are several ways that supplements can benefit you during an alcohol detox.
1. Reducing the Accumulation of Liver Fat
Some supplements can help reduce unhealthy fat buildup around the liver, which is a common concern in people who consume large amounts of alcohol. A fatty liver can come with several health risks like higher blood pressure and kidney disease, and it may have harmful impacts on liver function.
Fortunately, some studies have shown that certain supplements can reduce liver fat, specifically supplements containing L-carnitine. This amino acid is a transporter of fatty acids in the body, and many people who experience liver disease are deficient in L-carnitine. As a result, some studies have shown that L-carnitine supplementation may improve liver inflammation and remove liver fat in some individuals.
2. Supporting the Detoxification Process
One of the most important roles the liver plays is detoxing the bloodstream in the body, turning toxins into waste products that your body can then remove. With excessive alcohol consumption, the liver is constantly working to filter the blood, which puts stress on liver cells. Supplements can be beneficial for promoting the health of these cells so that the liver can remain efficient in this process.
Supplements that contain nutrients L-ornithine and B-vitamins can support the metabolic and detoxification process of the liver. L-ornithine is an amino acid that may support the detoxification of the liver, while B vitamins like B12 and folate can help promote the liver’s natural metabolic process of breaking down chemicals into waste products.
3. Limiting Scarring To The Liver
Scarring of the liver, also known as cirrhosis, is a common symptom of alcohol consumption because of the chemical reaction that damages liver cells. A scarred liver is less effective at carrying out its necessary functions and often increases demand on the liver to regenerate damaged tissue.
Some supplements can help to limit this scarring and alleviate cirrhosis. Magnesium has been shown in studies to support liver function and address scarring of the liver. Zinc may also play a part in liver detoxification and tissue repair, as the nutrient is important for activating liver enzymes and can help to support the liver’s ability to regenerate damaged tissue. Long-term supplementation of both these nutrients may help address tissue damage.
4. Rebalancing Nutrients in the Liver
Alcohol consumption causes the loss or absorption of several nutrients in the liver. Taking the right supplement can help replenish nutrient levels in the liver to support liver function and overall health.
Alcohol use disorder can lead to several deficiencies, including in nutrients like:
- Magnesium
- Vitamin A and beta-carotene
- B vitamins
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
These nutrients are all important for liver function, and a deficiency in certain nutrients, like magnesium, can even lead to liver disease. When overcoming alcohol use disorder and undergoing a detox, nutrition is key.
Choosing the right supplements can be highly beneficial for helping to supplement your diet for more targeted nutrients. For more insight on which nutrients your body needs most, you should consult your doctor who can conduct more in-depth testing.
5. Reducing Inflammation in the Liver
Inflammation in the liver is a common symptom of alcohol overuse, but fortunately, there are many supplements on the market that can support the body’s natural processes and help to alleviate inflammation. Vitamins and minerals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can help to reduce inflammation and protect cells from oxidative stress.
Nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and magnesium may all help to support the health of liver cells against oxidative damage, promote tissue regeneration, and reduce inflammation. Choosing supplements with these nutrients can help to rebalance the nutrient levels in the liver and reinforce the liver cells against the stress they face during the detoxification process.
Best Supplements For Alcohol Detox
Choosing the right supplements is essential for providing your liver with genuinely beneficial nutrients that support your liver’s natural regeneration process. The following are some of the best supplements for alcohol detox.
Hepato:Renew
The Hepato:Renew formula was designed specifically to promote liver health and function. This formula features several research-backed, plant-powered, and organic ingredients, including reishi mushroom, milk thistle, turmeric, chlorella, beet, and more.
In studies, milk thistle has been shown to have positive effects on the liver, having been used as a natural remedy for years for protecting the liver from environmental toxins while also bolstering healthy liver function. Reishi mushroom, turmeric, artichoke extract, and chlorella are antioxidant-rich foods that may help detoxify the liver and also offer anti-inflammatory properties to minimize the risks of oxidative stress on liver cells. Organic beet also provides folate and additional antioxidants to support
To include this supplement in your daily routine, take one capsule three times a day. You should take the capsule with water either with or without food.
Hydro:Active
Hydro:Active fizzy tablets are a convenient additive to your water, immediately making your regular water hydrogen-rich water in moments. Hydrogen-rich water offers many benefits, like increased oxygen intake volume, enhanced metabolism, and alertness, which are beneficial for liver health and a detox journey as a whole. The supplement also offers support in combating cellular oxidative stress, which is a common side effect of excess alcohol consumption.
One of the main active ingredients in Hydro:Active is magnesium. Many people who experience liver disease or alcohol dependence have lower magnesium levels compared to the rest of the population. Magnesium can help reduce inflammation in the liver, combat cirrhosis, and tackle oxidative stress.
You can include this supplement in your day-to-day routine by dissolving one tablet in a 12-17 oz glass of water two times daily.
Mineral:Pure
The Mineral:Pure formula features a combination of minerals and nutrients to support your body’s natural detoxification and healing processes. The most notable mineral in this formula for liver health is magnesium, which has several researched-backed benefits for the liver.
The supplement also contains other minerals like chloride, sodium, and potassium, which are essential electrolytes to support energy levels, cardiovascular health, nerve function, and overall well-being, all of which are valuable during alcohol detox.
Build this supplement into your daily routine by taking drops totalling 2.5 mL daily. Put these drops into 20 oz of water and slowly sip it over the span of one to two hours.
re:vitalize weight loss formula
Although the re:vitalize weight loss formula is beneficial for weight loss, it can be beneficial for liver health and detox as well, featuring a combination of beneficial amino acids. With amino acids L-carnitine and L-ornithine, this supplement can be a great addition to anyone looking to detox their liver and restore its health. Both of these amino acids offer research-backed benefits for the liver.
L-carnitine helps to reduce fat accumulation in the liver, while L-ornithine has been shown to effectively treat negative health effects of cirrhosis. The supplement also contains L-glutamine, which may even help quell alcohol cravings to support you even further on your detox journey.
This formula comes as a convenient spray, so you can easily include this supplement in your daily routine. Take three sprays of this formula under the tongue three times a day, in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
Other Ways To Support Your Liver During Alcohol Detox
Alcohol detox is a demanding process on the body, so it’s important to provide your body with as much support as possible by taking special care of it. With this being the case, it’s important that supplements are only part of a solution to detoxing from alcohol, and they should be incorporated in addition to positive lifestyle changes.
Important habits that someone can incorporate to care for their liver:
- Maintain a healthy diet – Eating nutritious whole foods free of harsh additives and harmful chemicals can help provide your body with important nutrients, reduce strain on the liver function, and help to rebalance your liver health.
- Drink plenty of water – Water has an important part in helping the body detox by flushing out toxins from the blood through the kidneys and out through your urine.
- Consider exercise – Exercise has benefits for the liver and the detox process, including improving circulation to support the flow of nutrients through the blood.
- Promote other areas of your health – Caring for your overall health also includes caring for your liver. Hormone-balancing supplements and cortisol-reducing supplements may help promote liver health and overall wellness.
- Avoid weight-loss medications – If you are looking to lose weight during a detox, you should consider natural methods rather than weight loss medications, as medications like Ozempic and alcohol detox may not combine well.
In addition to these habits, it’s important to maintain close contact with your healthcare professional during alcohol detox. A doctor has a crucial part in supporting you through the detox process, helping to monitor your vitals, see how your body is responding, and provide personal guidance on how to ensure your health throughout the process.
Detox Your Liver with the Support of re:vitalize
Your liver is vital for detoxifying your body and stabilizing the nutrients in your blood, but alcohol consumption can put excessive stress on the organ. Overcoming alcohol use disorder and undergoing an alcohol detox can be especially tough on your liver. Taking natural alcohol detox supplements can help support you in this process by providing your body with nutrients that promote the liver’s natural functions.
At re:vitalize, we offer several supplements to help you promote the health of your liver by replenishing nutrients, tackling inflammation, and addressing forms of damage. To support your overall health and wellness, explore our full collection of dietary supplements. For additional support in developing healthier habits, consider a holistic weight loss and wellness program.
re:vitalize programs serve as additional options for developing a healthy lifestyle with nutrient-rich foods that promote liver health and overall wellness as a byproduct of their nutrition-first focus. Our holistic wellness programs encourage support for anyone looking to build healthier habits. All of our programs are personalized to the individual and offer a long list of off-the-scale benefits, including increased energy levels,
Schedule a virtual or in-person consultation with our team to learn more about how we can support you.
